New custody committee to protect children affected by conflicts in Dubai

New custody committee to protect children affected by conflicts in Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Chairman of the Dubai Judicial Council gave Decision No. (7) of 2022 relating to the formation of the Custody Committee affiliated to Dubai Courts.

According to the decision, the Custody Committee will comprise of two representatives from Dubai Courts nominated by the Director-General of Dubai Courts. They will serve as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee. Two representatives of the Community Development Authority in Dubai will be nominated by the Director-General of the Authority, one of them will be from its child protection unit. The committee will also incorporate two representatives from Dubai Police specializing in children’s protection appointed by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and an official of Dubai Courts who will serve as the rapporteur of the Committee.

The Committee is entrusted with preparing a nitty gritty report on the social, mental, health, and criminal status of the person mentioning the custody or the person to whom the court will allow the authority of a child.

The decision also frames the procedures for giving a custody eligibility report. The court will initially request the Committee to prepare a custody eligibility report, following which a site visit will take place to guarantee the custodian oAr guardian of the child is fit to take care of the child, apart from assessing different necessities. The decision commits the authorities to fully cooperate with the committee and provide all information and data requested by it to carry out its duties in taking care of child’s custody.